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Twelve years ago today I was sitting in my Office Technology class. The day had started out just like any other, but in an instant the course of history would change and thousands of lives would forever be altered. The guidance counselor came flying into the class room and told the teacher to turn on the TV. “Any channel. It doesn’t matter. It’s on all of them.” I sat in stunned silence as I watched one tower engulfed in flames, and soon to follow, a second plane fly into the second tower. I watched in total confusion and utter disbelief as both towers crumbled. I found out later that day that I had an Uncle who was a NYC Firefighter. He was lucky to escape with his life. My heart broke for the thousands of families that lost loved ones that day. It was after this fateful day that a new word began popping up into our daily lives. “Patriotism.” Our government vowed to find the people responsible for this horrible tragedy.

Fast forward 12 years. We found and killed the mastermind. We have also killed and/or punished countless followers. Year after year we take to Facebook, Twitter, and various other media outlets to honor the fallen and show the world we have not forgotten. In the last few days something has been overloading my newsfeed that tears me apart. A few weeks back I read about a two million man motorcycle run heading to Washington D.C. scheduled to arrive on 9/11. As a member of the biker community it brings me great joy when riders band together to support a cause. It shows the world that what you see on TV is not always what reality is. It shows the world that bikers have hearts. They have families, they live, breathe, bleed, and hurt just like everyone else. However when we band together under the guise of “Patriotism” and lash out at an entire group of people based on nothing more than hatred, ignorance, and irrational fear, we become the very thing we’re fighting against. When we let fear and ignorance take over, we have lost the fight.

I don’t hold many strong political views. I do however believe all people, regardless of race, sexual orientation, and religion should have the same rights. Everyone should be able to live their lives and not have to hide who or what they are. With that being said, it saddens me to know that the only reason two million bikers saddled up and headed to D.C. was not to honor the fallen, but to stop a Muslim march in our nation’s capital. The collective thinking is that because the monsters behind the 9/11 attacks were Muslim, that makes them all terrorists. To me, that’s like saying all Catholics are child molesters because a handful of Catholic priests spent their careers touching little boys. As a country we have become very hateful and judgmental. I’m not a religious person, but isn’t the religion our country was founded on based on love and forgiveness? And this hatred and bigotry has not just popped up in the last few weeks, I see this on a daily basis. Every time I open my computer. We fear what we don’t understand. We pass judgment on an entire religion because a few extremists took their beliefs a little too far. We tell an entire group of people that they have no right to practice their religion because it’s different from ours. I feel a better way to honor the fallen is through strength, love, and perseverance. Not hatred and anger.

I will honor those lost on 9/11 and all the soldiers we have lost to war by living my life and enjoying the freedoms they have died for. I will have understanding, patience, and love for everyone, even if they are not the same as me, because no one should have to hide who they are.

I took a deep breath and walked into the office. I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. I was placing my fate and the outcome of my life from that moment on, into the hands of someone who had nothing to gain by ruling in my favor. I sat quietly and answered her questions. Casually glancing in the direction of the man I have come to hate with every fiber of my being. He was so cocky. So arrogant. He was convinced this meeting was a waste of time and he was going to win. One more victory for him, and one more step backwards for me.

I held my breath while she quietly did her calculations. After what seemed like an eternity she finally turned and spoke. “Rose, even though a full 40 hour week is not a guarantee for you, we still have to rate you at 40 hours.” My heart stopped. This was it. My life was about to ripped away from me, after I fought so hard to change it. I have worked so hard to fix myself and make up for my past mistakes. I have come so far from where I used to be and now, it’s about to be ripped away from me. Another victory for him. I hated him. I fantasized about stabbing him in the throat with my pen. That would certainly remove the smug look from his face. The silence after that single statement seemed to stretch on for an hour. And then, finally, she spoke again.

“Due to the current income levels, there will be a change in the monthly support.” I couldn’t breathe. The walls were closing in. “There has been a recent change in state regulations. The self-support reserve has been increased and will increase again on August 9th. Due to the current income levels, and the current level of the self-support reserve, the current support level is going to change from $375 a month, to $303 a month. On August 9th, it will automatically change again. It will go from $303 a month to $254 a month.“

Wait… What? Did I hear that correctly? The support level is going to decrease??? This has to be a dream. Can you repeat that please? I think I had something in my ear. I don’t believe I heard you correctly. But the look on his face said it all. Shock, disbelief, anger. I waited for the fireworks. Surely he would not let this injustice stand. When he realized that she really made the decision she just made, he finally boiled over. There was a string of incoherent rambling arguments about why it was the wrong choice. Why couldn’t I just get a second job? Clearly there was nothing wrong with me busting my ass day in and day out to bring home $50 at the end of the week, and for them to feel that I am entitled to more than that is just ludicrous. I sat in stunned happy silence as he let his true colors show. He showed himself for what he truly is. A greedy, money hungry, worthless little man with a Napoleon complex. Finally, someone else could see that he cares more about the money, than what is best for our children.

I walked in that room with nothing to lose, and in an instant my life changed. Now I have a fighting chance. A chance to finally turn my life around. To finally provide my children with the life they deserve. A final fuck you that was seven years in the making. My life is mine and you will never control it again. I have taken the power away from you, and now, your world is going to crumble.

So the people are united against a common enemy. Rolling Stone magazine is coming under fire for their latest cover story. Let me start off by saying this: This man was a horrible human being. I am in no way glorifying anything about him. He was a monster. But let me also say I think people become too passionate about certain things and jump to the wrong conclusions. Boycott the magazine before you even read the content. Makes perfect sense to me.

I will admit that I don’t normally buy Rolling Stone magazine. Or any other magazine for that fact. However, I do think I will buy this one. I’m really curious to see what is in this article. It is my opinion that monsters are not born, they are created. I would really like to see what went wrong here. What snapped in this man’s head that made him what he became.

People have always had a morbid curiosity when it comes to mass killings, serial killers, etc. Charles Manson was convicted of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in 1971. David Berkowitz was found guilty in the murders of 6 people in 1978. Jack the Ripper murdered at least 5 women in 1888 and was never caught. At least once a week I turn the tv on and see a documentary, movie, or tv show about at least one of these men. No one cries foul. No one stages boycotts. No one says a word. Because it’s completely acceptable to glorify these monsters. Because in this post 9/11 world we live in, terrorism is defined as an attack on our country and way of life by someone from the outside. What these men did to innocent people was horrendous. But it’s okay for us to talk about it. It’s okay to put it on TV, and make movies, and documentaries. It’s okay to seek answers and closure. It’s okay to put them on the spot, pick their brains and ask WHY?

So why are the Boston Bombers any different? Why is it not okay to ask why? Seems like a double-edged sword if you ask me… In this day and age, people are too worried about being politically correct. They’re too afraid of offending people. They’ve become too sensitive to real issues. I applaud Rolling Stone for not allowing this story to be swept under the rug. People deserve answers. They deserve to know why.

Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. ~ Thomas Edison

I had a moment of weakness today. I broke down and told myself that I was giving up. I can’t continue fighting for nothing, it just isn’t in me anymore. Just thinking those words, I Give Up, made me feel like a complete failure. Like I WAS fighting for nothing. Because if I can’t find the will to put a smile on my face and keep moving forward, then I AM a failure.

At this point I think I need to give a little insight into my life. Maybe then you will understand why it’s so important to me to continue moving forward, even when I feel like the sky is falling.

I am a 29-year-old single mother to two amazing little boys. They are my everything. My reason for being.

My reason for breathing

Due to circumstances beyond my control at this point, they live with their father. At the time, I thought it was what was best for them. As time went by, I realized I was wrong, but it was too late to go back. These two little boys deserve the world, and I wish that I could give it to them. Unfortunately their father takes every dime he can drain out of me in child support so I’m left with very little to live on at the end of the week.

This is where my moment of weakness came in.

I checked my bank account to see how much my check was going to be and was devastated to see a pending deposit of $37.00. It was at that point that I realized, no matter how hard I try, I’m always going to struggle. It’s always going to be an up hill battle. How could anyone see the light at the end of that tunnel? So I told myself I was giving up.

“When things go wrong, don’t go with them.” ~Elvis Presley

As hard as it is to believe sometimes, there is ALWAYS a light at the end of the tunnel… Even if it’s just a small one. No matter how bad things seem, they always have to get better. Right?

Here’s where things get difficult for me. Most people in my situation would turn to religion. They’ll pray to God to make things better. I can’t do that. I’ve spent most of my life not really sure of the existence of God. I never felt comfortable with religion. I remember trying to go to church when I was younger, and being bored to the point of getting up and walking out. My point is, I don’t have an outlet for my feelings of weakness and failure. I simply shove it all down, force myself up off the ground, and keep plugging away. I don’t know any other way…

So a funny thing happened as I sat crying, trying to figure out how I am going to survive for the next week. Through the darkness I saw just a tiny pinpoint of light. Most people probably wouldn’t have even seen it. But I did. And I dried my eyes, picked myself up, and started walking towards it. That’s the secret right there. You must walk. Because if you run, you’ll scare it away. It starts with baby steps. Eventually you’ll get there, but you can’t rush it. Nothing great happens overnight. There’s no instant miracle. It will only come with hard work and perseverance. Do I have all the answers yet? Absolutely not. Do I know how I’m going to eat for the next week? Sure don’t. But I do know that I won’t get where I’m going by standing still. The first step, that baby step, is getting up tomorrow morning and going to work. And after enough days of pushing forward even though I feel like I can’t, my life will be amazing. One day my awesome little family will have everything they deserve.

Although my brain is about 70% song lyrics and movie quotes, and I suffer from a semi-severe self diagnosed case of ADD, I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent person. I understand a lot about life and about people, but one thing that I don’t think I’ll ever understand is human behavior. Sometimes I think I would love to have the ability to read minds, but then I remember that if I could do that I would realize people don’t think I’m half as awesome as I think I am, and that would make me really sad. Still though… I would love to know what makes people tick. What causes them to make the choices they make?

How do three siblings, all raised in the same household, develop completely different personalities and character traits? How do two of them develop crippling drug habits and the third not? How does one manage to see positive in every situation no matter how bad it is, and one have an absolute hatred for life and everything about it? I feel bad for people who hold onto their anger and hate. The people who can’t see the good in anything. I understand life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows but it’s not really that bad is it? I can’t be that naive… I absolutely try to see positive in every negative situation, because if I let my anger and hatred consume me, I’ll lose all the things about me that make me who I am. And I’m pretty awesome. No ones life is perfect, but that’s not really a reason to stop living right?

Another thing I don’t understand is couples. Maybe I’ve been single for too long, but I don’t understand why people seem to lose their individual self when they become a couple. Why does “I” have to become “we”? Call me crazy but I think it’s perfectly okay to maintain your singular identity while being in a relationship. When I’m talking to you and ask “How are you?” I don’t expect to get a “We are doing great!” response. I asked how YOU were doing. You are still one person right? I think this is one of the reasons I sabotage most chances at a relationship. I like myself too much. I don’t want to become a we. I want to stay a me. Because me is awesome. Is that normal? I generally don’t strive for normalcy, but I don’t want to be too weird.

Last but not least is social media behavior. I have fallen victim to the black hole that is Facebook, so I’m not going to take an anti-social media stance. What I don’t understand is people who feel the need to post every detail about everything in their life on Facebook or Twitter. I look at the things some of my friends post and I often wonder how I’m friends with these people. Some of them really are bat shit insane, no matter how normal they seem otherwise. I can not stand that people air all their drama for the world to see. I don’t care that you’re upset and pissed off because your boyfriend/girlfriend cheated on you for the 728th time. If you keep taking them back then you deserve it, and I don’t need to read about it every 12 days. I could care less what your asshole distant relative did to piss your cat off. It doesn’t affect my life in any way. Find something to be happy about and stop bogging people down with your problems. It just makes you an attention whore. Lastly, my page is my page. If I want to say “fuck”, I’m gonna say it. Don’t lecture me about “You’re a mom, you shouldn’t talk like that.” Yes. I am a mom. I am a mom and I say fuck. A lot. Get over it. It’s been said a thousand times, if you don’t like what’s on my page, don’t look at it. It will not hurt my feelings if you delete me… I know this seemingly contradicts my previous statement about not being a whiny bitch all the time, but it really is a totally different situation… That may have made more sense in my head?

I often wish that I could step outside of myself and see me from someone elses eyes. See what others see in me. The idea scares the shit out of me because, as much as we like to say we don’t care what other people think, the truth is we do care. Acceptance, sadly, is one of the most important things to us. We want recognition and respect for the things we do. We want the world to like us, and it crushes our spirit just a little bit when we find out someone may not like us. I am not immune from this. I crave acceptance just as much as anyone else does. I just got home from another 15 hour day of work. I hurt everywhere, I’m so exhausted I can barely see straight, but I feel good. I feel proud. I feel like I’m accomplishing something. BUT does everyone else around me see how hard I’m trying? I will shamefully admit that part of my motivation is so someone, anyone will notice and say. “You know what? I’m really proud of you.” Through this endless journey of acceptance I have realized a few things. One of those things is we spend so much of our time obsessing over and trying to change the things we have no control over. Maybe once in awhile we need to step back and just let life happen. Stop trying so damn hard all the time. I know that everything good in life needs to be earned, but if you can’t take a step back and just “be” then how will you be able to enjoy the rewards of your hard work? The other thing I have come to realize is people are generally very unhappy… And they have no problems projecting that unhappiness on you and anyone else that will listen. My advice to people like this is: As a general rule, people are naturally selfish. Whatever your problems are, theirs are 100 times worse. It’s not that we don’t care about your problems, but when we put yours next to ours, it just doesn’t measure up. And please stop bogging total strangers down with everything that is going wrong in your life at this moment. When your local gas station cashier asks you how you are, they are asking to be polite. Because that is what they are paid to do. Proper protocol here is to smile and say, “I’m good, how are you?” The point I would like to get across here is simply this: Find joy in the little things in life. Even if you feel like the sky is falling, find a reason to smile. Wake up every day and just decide to be awesome. It really is that simple. I started to live my life this way and life has been pretty damn good. Even with all the bad things.

Lately my mind has been a very chaotic place… At any given time I have thousands of thoughts flying around completely lost in my head. I hope this will be a place for me to sort out these thoughts and quiet the screaming in my brain long enough to sleep at night. So if I begin to ramble and not make sense, please bear with me. It will take some time to organize the chaos.

Through all the hardships and heartache I have encountered in my life, I try really hard to maintain a positive outlook on life. Things are always going to get better. I may struggle, but I always say it’s leading up to something great. I live my life as if something amazing is about to happen. That being said, I have to admit it’s really hard to not be cynical… I see many people truly fighting their way up from the bottom, to continuously get kicked back down. And then I see people complain about their horrible life right before they get into their brand new car and drive away. I strongly believe your life is a direct result of the choices and decisions you make. If your life is bad, start making better decisions. Unfortunately, sometimes the damage is already done though. You can start making all the right decisions, but you’re always going to be stuck in an uphill battle. I know this from personal experience. I refuse to believe my life is never going to amount to anything. We all get knocked down on our way to the top. How you handle the setbacks in your life is what defines you as a person. You either roll over and let it consume you, or you get up, brush yourself off and start climbing again. I refuse to give in. I may be in a constant uphill battle, but for every step I lose, I get back up and gain three more. The problem with people is they spend so much time waiting for something good to happen, instead of making it happen. Nothing in life comes easy and you have to fight for everything you want. I decided a long time ago that I was going to live my life rather than just exist in it, and although I may not be perfect, I’ve come a long way from where I was.